TYTLER, ALEXANDER FRASER,usually styled Lord Woodhouselee, was born in Edinburgh, on the 15th of
October, 1747. He was the eldest son of William Tytler, esquire of
Woodhouselee, by his wife, Anne Craig. The earlier rudiments of education he
received from his father at home; but in the eighth year of his age, he was
sent to the High School, then under the direction of Mr Mathison. At this
seminary, young Tytler remained for five years, distinguishing himself at
once by the lively frankness of his manners, and by the industry and ability
with which he applied himself to, and pursued his studies. The latter
procured him the highest honours of the academy; and, finally, in the last
year of his course, obtained for him the dignity of dux of the rector’s
class.

On the completion of his
curriculum at the High School his father sent him to an academy at
Kensington, for the still further improvement of his classical attainments.
This academy was then under the care of Mr Elphinston, a man of great
learning and singular worth, who speedily formed a strong attachment to his
pupil, arising from the pleasing urbanity of his manners, and the zeal and
devotion with which he applied himself to the acquisition of classical
learning. When Mr Tytler set out for Kensington, which was in 1763, in the
sixteenth year of his age, he went with the determination of returning an
accomplished scholar; and steadily acting up to this determination, he
attained the end to which it was directed. At Kensington, he soon
distinguished himself by his application and proficiency, particularly in
Latin poetry, to which he now became greatly attached, and in which he
arrived at great excellence. His master was especially delighted with his
efforts in this way, and took every opportunity, not only of praising them
himself, but of exhibiting them to all with whom he came in contact who were
capable of appreciating their merits. To his other pursuits, while at
Kensington, Mr Tytler added drawing, which soon became a favourite amusement
with him, and continued so throughout the whole of his after life. He also
began, by himself, to study Italian, and by earnest and increasing
assiduity, quickly acquired a sufficiently competent knowledge of that
language, to enable him to read it fluently, and to enjoy the beauties of
the authors who wrote in it. The diversity of Mr Tytler’s pursuits extended
yet further. He acquired, while at Kensington, a taste for natural history,
in the study of which he was greatly assisted by Dr Russel, an intimate
friend of his father, who then lived in his neighbourhood.

In 1765, Mr Tytler returned
to Edinburgh, after an absence of two years, which he always reckoned
amongst the happiest and best spent of his life. On his return to his native
city, his studies naturally assumed a more direct relation to the profession
for which he was destined,—the law. With this object chiefly in view, he
entered the university, where he began the study of civil law, under Dr
Dick; and afterwards that of municipal law, under Mr Wallace. He also
studied logic, under Dr Stevenson; rhetoric and belles lettres, under Dr
Blair; and moral science, under Dr Fergusson. Mr Tytler, however, did not,
by any means, devote his attention exclusively to these preparatory
professional studies. He reserved a portion for those that belong to general
knowledge. From these he selected natural philosophy and chemistry, and
attended a course of each.

It will be seen, from the
learned and eminent names enumerated above, that Mr Tytler was singularly
fortunate in his teachers; and it will be seen, from those that follow, that
he was no less fortunate, at this period of his life, in his acquaintance.
Amongst these he had the happiness to reckon Henry Mackenzie, lord
Abercromby, lord Craig, Mr Playfair, Dr Gregory, and Dugald Stewart. During
the summer recesses of the university, Mr Tytler was in the habit of
retiring to his father’s residence at Woodhouselee. The time spent here,
however, was not spent in idleness. In the quiet seclusion of this
delightful country residence, he resumed, and followed out with exemplary
assiduity, the literary pursuits to which he was so devoted. He read
extensively in the Roman classics, and in French and Italian literature. He
studied deeply, besides, the ancient writers of England; and thus laid in a
stock of knowledge, and acquired a delicacy of taste, which few have ever
attained. Nor in this devotion to severer study, did he neglect those
lighter accomplishments, which so elegantly relieve the exhaustion and
fatigues of mental application. He indulged his taste for drawing and music,
and always joined in the little family concerts, in which his amiable and
accomplished father took singular delight.

In 1770, Mr Tytler was called
to the bar; and in the spring of the succeeding year, he paid a visit to
Paris, in company with Mr Kerr of Blackshiels. Shortly after this, lord
Kames, with whom he had the good fortune to become acquainted in the year
1767, and who had perceived and appreciated his talents, having seen from
time to time some of his little literary efforts, recommended to him to
write something in the way of his profession. This recommendation, which had
for its object at once the promotion of his interests, and the acquisition
of literary fame, his lordship followed up, by proposing that Mr Tytler
should write a supplementary volume to his Dictionary of Decisions. Inspired
with confidence, and flattered by the opinion of his abilities and
competency for the work, which this suggestion implied on the part of lord
Kames, Mr Tytler immediately commenced the laborious undertaking, and in
five years of almost unremitting toil, completed it. The work, which was
executed in such a manner as to call forth not only the unqualified
approbation of the eminent person who had first proposed it, but of all who
were competent to judge of its merits, was published in folio, in 1778. Two
years after this, in 1780, Mr Tytler was appointed conjunct professor of
universal history in the college of Edinburgh with Mr Pringle; and in 1786,
he became sole professor. From this period, till the year 1800, he devoted
himself exclusively to the duties of his office; but in these his services
were singularly efficient, surpassing far in importance, and in the benefits
which they conferred on the student, what any of his predecessors had ever
performed. His course of lectures was so remarkably comprehensive, that,
although they were chiefly intended, in accordance with the object for which
the class was instituted, for the benefit of those who were intended for the
law, he yet numbered amongst his students many who were not destined for
that profession. The favourable impression made by these performances, and
the popularity which they acquired for Mr Tytler, induced him, in 1782, to
publish, what he modestly entitled "Outlines" of his course of lectures.
These were so well received, that their ingenious author felt himself called
upon some time afterwards to republish them in a more extended form. This he
accordingly did, in two volumes, under the title of "Elements of General
History." The Elements were received with an increase of public favour,
proportioned to the additional value which had been imparted to the work by
its extension. It became a text book in some of the universities of Britain;
and was held in equal estimation, and similarly employed, in the
universities of America. The work has since passed through many editions.
The reputation of a man of letters, and of extensive and varied
acquirements, which Mr Tytler now deservedly enjoyed, subjected him to
numerous demands for literary assistance and advice. Amongst these, was a
request from Dr Gregory, then (1788) engaged in publishing the works of his
father, Dr John Gregory, to prefix to these works an account of the life and
writings of the latter. With this request, Mr Tytler readily complied; and
he eventually discharged the trust thus confided to him, with great fidelity
and discrimination, and with the tenderest and most affectionate regard for
the memory which he was perpetuating.

Mr Tytler wrote pretty
largely, also, for the well known periodicals, the Mirror and the Lounger.
To the former of these he contributed, Nos. 17, 37, 59, and 79 ; and to the
latter, Nos. 7, 9, 24, 44, 67, 70, and 79. The first of these were written
with the avowed intention of giving a higher and sprightlier character to
the work to which they were furnished; qualities in which he thought it
deficient, although he greatly admired the talent and genius displayed in
its graver papers; but he justly conceived, that a judicious admixture of a
little humour, occasionally, would not be against its popularity. The
circumstances in which his contributions to the Lounger were composed,
afford a very remarkable instance of activity of mind and habits, of
facility of expression, and felicity of imagination. They were almost all
written at inns, where he happened to be detained for any length of time, in
his occasional journeys from one place to another. Few men would have
thought of devoting such hours to any useful purpose; but the papers of the
Lounger, above enumerated, show how much may be made of them by genius and
diligence.

On the institution of the
Royal Society of Edinburgh in 1783, Mr Tytler became one of its constituent
members; and was soon afterwards unanimously elected one of the secretaries
of the literary class, in which capacity he drew up an account of the Origin
and History of the Society, which was prefixed to the first volume of its
Transactions. In 1788, Mr Tytler contributed to the Transactions, a
biographical sketch of Robert Dundas of Arniston, lord president of the
Court of Session; and in the year following, read a paper to the society on
the vitrified forts in the Highlands of Scotland. The principal scope of
this paper, which discovers great antiquarian knowledge and research, is to
show, that, in all probability, this remarkable characteristic of the
ancient Highland forts—their vitrification—was imparted to them, not during
their erection, as was generally supposed, but at their destruction, which
its author reasonably presumes, would be, in most, if not all cases,
effected by fire. With the exception of some trifling differences of opinion
in one or two points of minor importance, Mr Tytler’s essay met with the
warm and unanimous approbation of the most eminent antiquarians of the day.

The next publication of this
versatile and ingenious writer, was, an "Essay on the Principles of
Translation," published, anonymously, in 1790. By one of those singular
coincidences, which are not of unfrequent occurrence in the literary world,
it happened that Dr Campbell, principal of the Marischal college, Aberdeen,
had, but a short while before, published a work, entitled "Translations of
the Gospel; to which was prefixed a Preliminary Dissertation on the
Principles of Taste." Between many of the sentiments expressed in this
dissertation, and those promulgated in Mr Tytler’s essay, there was a
resemblance so strong and close, that Dr Campbell, on perusing the latter,
immediately conceived that the anonymous author had pillaged his
dissertation; and instantly wrote to Mr Creech of Edinburgh, his publisher,
intimating his suspicions. Mr Tytler, however, now came forward,
acknowledged himself to be the author of the suspected essay, and, in a
correspondence which he opened with Dr Campbell, not only convinced him that
the similarity of sentiment which appeared in their respective publications,
was the result of mere accident, but succeeded in obtaining the esteem and
warmest friendship of his learned correspondent.

Mr Tytler’s essay attained a
rapid and extraordinary celebrity. Complimentary letters flowed in upon its
author from many of the most eminent men in England; and the book itself
speedily came to be considered a standard work in English criticism. Mr
Tytler had now attained nearly the highest pinnacle of literary repute. His
name was widely known, and was in every case associated with esteem for his
worth, and admiration of his talents. It is no matter for wonder then, that
such a man should have attracted the notice of those in power, nor that they
should have thought it would reflect credit on themselves, to promote his
interests.

In 1790, Mr Tytler, through
the influence of lord Melville, was appointed to the high dignity of
judge-advocate of Scotland. The duties of this important office had always
been, previously to Mr Tytler’s nomination, discharged by deputy; but
neither the activity of his body and mind, nor the strong sense of the duty
he owed to the public, would permit him to have recourse to such a
subterfuge. He resolved to discharge the duties now imposed upon him in
person, and continued to do so, attending himself on every trial, so long as
he held the appointment. He also drew up, while acting as judge-advocate, a
treatise on Martial Law, which has been found of great utility. Of the zeal
with which Mr Tytler discharged the duties of his office, and of the anxiety
and impartiality with which he watched over and directed the course of
justice, a remarkable instance is afforded in the case of a court-martial,
which was held at Ayr. Mr Tytler thought the sentence of that court unjust;
and under this impression, which was well founded, immediately represented
the matter to Sir Charles Morgan, judge-advocate general of England, and
prayed for a reversion of the sentence. Sir Charles cordially concurred in
opinion with Mr Tytler regarding the decision of the court-martial, and
immediately procured the desired reversion. In the fulness of his feelings,
the feelings of a generous and upright mind, Mr Tytler recorded his
satisfaction with the event, on the back of the letter which announced it.

In the year 1792, Mr Tytler
lost his father, and by his death succeeded to the estate of Woodhouselee,
and shortly after Mrs Tytler succeeded in a similar manner to the estate of
Balmain in Inverness-shire. On taking possession of Woodhouselee, Mr Tytler
designed, and erected a little monument to the memory of his father, on
which was an appropriate Latin inscription, in a part of the grounds which
his parents had delighted to frequent.

This tribute of filial
affection paid, Mr Tytler, now in possession of affluence, and every other
blessing on which human felicity depends, began to realize certain projects
for the improvement and embellishment of his estate, which he had long
fondly entertained, and thinking with Pope that "to enjoy, is to obey," he
prepared to make the proper use of the wealth which had been apportioned to
him. This was in opening up sources of rational and innocent enjoyment for
himself, and in promoting the happiness and comfort of those around him.
From this period he resided constantly at Woodhouselee, the mansion-house of
which he enlarged in order that he might enlarge the bounds of his
hospitality. The felicity, however, which he now enjoyed, and for which,
perhaps, no man was ever more sincerely or piously grateful, was destined
soon to meet with a serious interruption. In three years after his accession
to his paternal estate, viz, in 1795, Mr Tytler was seized with a dangerous
and long protracted fever, accompanied by delirium. The skill and assiduity
of his friend Dr Gregory, averted any fatal consequences from the fever, but
during the paroxysms of the disease he had burst a blood vessel, an accident
which rendered his entire recovery at first doubtful, and afterwards
exceedingly tardy. During the hours of convalescence which succeeded his
illness on this occasion, Mr Tytler employed himself in improving, and
adapting to the advanced state of knowledge, Derham’s Physico-Theology, a
work which he had always held in high estimation. To this new edition of
Derham’s work, which he published in 1799, he prefixed a "Dissertation on
Final Causes." In the same year Mr Tytler wrote a pamphlet entitled,
"Ireland profiting by Example, or the Question considered, Whether Scotland
has gained or lost by the Union." He was induced to this undertaking by the
circumstance of the question having been then furiously agitated, whether
any benefit had arisen, or was likely to arise from the Union with Ireland.
Of Mr Tytler’s pamphlet the interest was so great that no less than 3000
copies were sold on the day of publication.

The well earned reputation of
Mr Tytler still kept him in the public eye, and in the way of preferment. In
1801, a vacancy having occurred in the bench of the court of Session by the
death of lord Stonefield, the subject of this memoir was appointed, through
the influence of lord Melville, to succeed him, and took his seat, on the
2nd ofFebruary, 1802, as lord Woodhouselee. His lordship now
devoted himself to the duties of his office with the same zeal and assiduity
which had distinguished his proceedings as judge-advocate. While the courts
were sitting, he resided in town, and appropriated every hour to the
business allotted to him; but during the summer recess, he retired to his
country-seat, and there devoted himself with similar assiduity to literary
pursuits. At this period his lordship contemplated several literary works;
the gratitude, and a warm and affectionate regard for the memory of his
early patron induced him to abandon them all, in order to write the Life of
Lord Kames. This work, which occupied him, interveniently, for four years,
was published in 2 volumes, quarto, in 1807, with the title of "Memoirs of
the Life and Writings of Henry Home, lord Kames." Besides a luminous account
of its proper subject, and of all his writings, it contains a vast fund of
literary anecdote, many notices of eminent persons, of whom there was hardly
any other commemoration.

On the elevation of lord
justice clerk Hope to the president’s chair in 1811, lord Woodhouselee was
appointed to the Justiciary bench, and with this appointment terminated his
professional advancement. His lordship still continued to devote his leisure
hours to literary pursuits, but these were now exclusively confined to the
revision of his Lectures upon History. In this task, however, he laboured
with unwearied assiduity, adding to them the fresh matter with which
subsequent study and experience had supplied him, and improving them where
an increased refinement in taste showed him they were defective.

In 1812, lord Woodhouselee
succeeded to some property bequeathed him by his friend and relation, Sir
James Craig, governor of Canada. On this occasion a journey to London was
necessary, and his lordship accordingly proceeded thither. Amongst the other
duties which devolved upon him there, as nearest relative of the deceased
knight, was that of returning to the sovereign the insignia of the order of
the Bath with which Sir James had been invested. In the discharge of this
duty his lordship had an interview with the Prince Regent, who received him
with marked cordiality, and, from the conversation which afterwards
followed, became so favourably impressed regarding him, that he caused an
intimation to be conveyed to him soon after, that the dignity of baronet
would be conferred upon him if he chose it. This honour, however, his
lordship modestly declined.

On his return from London,
his lordship, who was now in the sixty-fifth year of his age, was attacked
with his old complaint, and so seriously, that he was advised, and prevailed
upon to remove from Woodhouselee to Edinburgh for the benefit of the medical
skill which the city afforded. No human aid, however, could now avail him.
His complaint daily gained ground in despite of every effort to arrest its
progress. Feeling that he had not long to live, although perhaps, not aware
that the period was to be so brief, he desired his coachman to drive him out
on the road in the direction of Woodhouselee, the scene of the greater
portion of the happiness which he had enjoyed through life, that he might
obtain a last sight of his beloved retreat.

On coming within view of the
well-known grounds his eyes beamed with a momentary feeling of delight. He
returned home, ascended the stairs which led to his study with unwonted
vigour, gained the apartment, sank on the floor, and expired without a
groan.

Lord Woodhouselee died on the
5th January, 1813, in the 66th year of his age; leaving a name which will
not soon be forgotten, and a reputation for taste, talent, and personal
worth, which will not often be surpassed.

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